Jewish Circles in London Confirm Report Agency Leaders Are Likely to Be Freed

Although the British Government has given no assurance to the Jewish Agency concerning release of its imprisoned leaders, it is expected to free the detained men shortly, the newspaper Observer says today. It adds that the Agency spokesmen told Colonial Secretary Arthur Creech-Jones last week that this was a prerequisite to Jewish participation in the Palestine Conference, when it resumes on Dec. 16.

British armored reinforcements are concentrating in Egypt preparatory to moving into Palestine, the Jerusalem correspondent of the Daily Sketch reported today. The correspondent reveals that the First Armored Division, which formerly saw service in the Trieste area, has been shipped to Egypt where it is being brought to full war strength. This unit will soon move into Jerusalem to replace the 31st Brigade. Two other divisions and a number of auxiliary units now in Italy will also be sent to Palestine when the Italian peace treaty is signed, the correspondent wrote, adding that this would bring the strength of the British garrison to 100,000 fighting men.

Dispatches reaching here from Cairo report that the authorities have uncovered a large gun-running gang which has been buying arms from Arabs in Egypt and selling it to Jewish underground groups in Palestine. A number of Jews and Arabs involved in the large-scale operations are said to have been arrested, but other members of the gang are believed to be still at large.